Israel-Hamas War: From Root Causes To Current Stakes And What Lies Ahead | EXPLAINED

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has become one of the most devastating and consequential conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history. What began on October 7, 2023, as a surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli territory has spiralled into Israel’s longest and deadliest military campaign, leaving Gaza in ruins and displacing millions. The conflict, rooted in a century of unresolved territorial and political disputes, continues to redefine regional alliances and global diplomacy.

How The War Began

On the 7th of October, 2023, Hamas and some Palestinian militants unleashed an unprecedented attack on Israel. The militants broke the barrier from Gaza with the firing of some thousand rockets as well as attacks on some Israeli towns within proximity. The attack resulted in the death of 1,195 Israelis and foreign citizens, with 815 being civilians, and 251 hostages were taken. The casualties included over 360 youths who were at a Nova festival.

Rave site attacked by Hamas

Hamas termed the strike as revenge for four decades of Israeli occupation, the murder of Palestinians, as well as the 16-year Gaza blockade. Khalil al-Hayya, a Hamas spokesperson, said the offensive aimed to “raise an alarm” about the case of the Palestinians. “It was needed to let the world know that here there is a people with claims that should be fulfilled,” he said.

Israel replied with a huge counteroffensive, threatening to destroy Hamas and release the hostages. By the end of October, the Israeli army had unleashed a full-scale invasion of Gaza with the help of an incessant air war.

Scope Of Destructiveness And Humanitarian Disaster

The issue has inflicted an unparalleled casualty on the inhabitants of Gaza. Over 67,000 Palestinians have died, close to half being women and children, with over 170,000 injured as of October 2025. The Lancet reports published studies that estimate the actual number of deaths to be much higher, as many of those dead due to trauma, starvation, and disease go unreported.

Israel's tightened blockade cut off fuel, provisions, and clean water to Gaza's 2.3 million residents, resulting in famine as well as widespread starvation. Hospitals, classrooms, places of worship, as well as entire neighbourhoods, have been levelled. 

Israel has also seen internal displacement, with some 100,000 Israelis removed from the borders as the rockets rained down and security issues were present. 

How Many Israelis Remain Held Captive?

Under the new ceasefire agreement, Hamas is set to free all remaining hostages. There are still 20 male hostages being kept in Gaza since they were abducted during the October 7, 2023, Israel assault launched with the involvement of Hamas. The release of these remaining hostages is viewed as one of the core stipulations to proceed with the US-facilitated peace plan. 

Ceasefires, Peace Initiatives And New US-Fronted Plan

After 2023, some of these truces had passed with the blink of an eye. A November 2023 truce broke apart within days, then one in January 2025 that ended with the Israel airstrike in March. The US, Egypt, and Qatar-brokered ceasefire came into play on 10 October 2025.

The US-sponsored 20-point Gaza Plan, led by Trump, presents a step-by-step road to peace as well as reconstruction:

Hamas Amnesty and Free Pass: The fighters who lay down their arms and embrace peaceful cohabitation will be amnestied or given free pass to go to neighbouring states.

Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction:  Restoration of core services, electricity, water, and hospitals, within three months, with aid coordinated through UN as well as Red Crescent.

Demilitarisation: The world will observe to make sure that tunnels and weaponry are destroyed, and Gaza is demilitarised.

International Stabilisation Force (ISF): The US-led coalition of Arab nations and international allies will patrol Gaza, train the Palestinian police, and prevent the smuggling of weapons.

If Hamas puts off or refuses the plan, then aid will continue to pour into ISF-controlled areas to secure civilians and to restore facilities.

What’s At Stake Now

The second phase of diplomacy will be played out at the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, where the leaders of the US, Egypt, Qatar, and elsewhere will gather to finalise the ceasefire. Disingenuously, neither Hamas nor Israel will be present,  the aim of the summit is to build support among the guarantor states. Yet the future is uncertain.

Israel says it will stop fighting all right, but only after disarming Hamas and preventing it from ruling Gaza. Peacemakers now have the challenging job of arranging a political handover in which Hamas hands over power but opens the way to the self-governance of the Palestinians.